Where Things Stood: The last game the Dallas Mavericks played was against the Denver Nuggets. Boban Marjanovic had a career high and the Mavs beat the Nuggets 113-97. The Mavericks were 40-27 and currently in the seventh seed of the Western Conference.
What’s Coming Up: The Mavericks have had a rollercoaster of a season with a lot of highs and lows. Many of the lows were a result of several players getting hurt. Now that the team has had months to get healthy, the Mavericks now have an opportunity to advance.
Game 1: Houston Rockets- The Houston Rockets were 40-24 and tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference’s sixth seed. A big advantage Dallas has is height. As long as Kristaps Porzingis can stay on them and play good defense this first game back should be a win for the Mavericks.
Game 2: Phoenix Suns- The Phoenix Suns’ were 26-39 this season. Although the Suns’ record is anything but bright, Phoenix had a great showing in Dallas, beating the Mavericks 133-104. The Mavericks had time to learn and should be able to do what is needed to adjust. Other players need to step up if the Mavs want to beat Phoenix. Both the second and final game will feature the Phoenix Suns.
Game 3: Sacramento Kings- Before the NBA went on hiatus the Kings’ record was 28-36 and had no answer when it came to Luka Dončić. Sacramento may have gotten the best of Dallas early in the season but that was before Dončić and Porzingis had good chemistry. Once the Luka Magic and the Unicorn got in rhythm with one another, it was game over for the Kings. I also expect the same outcome game three.
Game 4: Los Angeles Clippers- The Los Angeles Clippers were 44-20 in the midst of the NBA season. The Clippers might win this game simply because Kawhi Leonard will be all over Porzingis. When the teams last played in January, the Clippers won 113-107. As long as Kawhi stays on the court the Mavericks’ chances of winning game four is slim.
Game 5: Milwaukee Bucks- Everyone knows that the Milwaukee Bucks are cold, and before the hiatus the Bucks were 53-12 and in the Eastern’s Conference first seed. We can not forget December 16 when the Dallas Mavericks beat the Bucks without Dončić 120-116. Porzingis really stepped up and brought in 26 points and 12 rebounds that night. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a beast, but if the Bucks lost without Dončić I can just imagine what damage can be done with both Dončić and Porzingis.
Game 6: Utah Jazz- The Utah Jazz were 41-23 this season.The Jazz have great talent on the perimeter which could continue to cause problems for the Mavericks. Dallas has lost both encounters with Utah and it is likely that they lose this game as well. Or has Dallas studied Utah well enough and come back for vengeance?
Game 7: Portland Trail Blazers- The Portland Trail Blazers had a 29-37 record during the regular season. Dallas Mavericks beat Portland two out of the three times but the Trail Blazers might come out on top this time around. Jusuf Nurkić has been able to gain a lot of potential during the hiatus and could be a threat to Dallas.
Prediction: The Mavericks will go 5-3 in this eight game series.
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